Ahead of their game against De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde last Sunday, Colegio de San Juan de Letran's Pao Javillonar said their minds were already 'locked in' as they faced the erstwhile unbeaten squad.
The Knights eked out a 71-69 win against the Blazers in an intense match as the Intramuros-based squad toppled the league leaders from Taft Avenue.
"Sinabihan naman kami ni coach na hindi basta-basta 'yung papasukin namin na laban ngayon. Ready kami. Una pa lang, locked in na kami sa dugout," Javillonar said.
"Para sa pamilya namin, para sa Letran, para sa future namin. 'Yun ang iniisip namin. Locked in."
Javillonar returned on Tuesday after a two-game suspension and since his comeback, Letran won twice as it also defeated Arellano University, but lost to Mapua University.
In the three games he has already played, Javillonar posted averages of 17.33 points and 6.0 rebounds which earned him the NCAA Player of the Week honors bestowed by the Collegiate Press Corps.
Against Arellano University, Javillonar even registered a career-high 28 points to announce his return.
His comeback, however, seemed to also prompt other teams to focus on him as well during games, which Javillonar said was also a point of adjustment for the Knights.
For example, at one point in the match against Benilde, Javillonar was on the receiving end of an extra motion made by Jhomel Ancheta which earned the latter a disqualifying foul.
"Siguro collusion lang 'yun ng bola, pero 'yung main point doon, second motion, wala naman akong ginawa eh. So in-accept ko lang, that's basketball. Hatol naman ng referee," he said.
"Early work 'yung adjustment. Siyempre, 'di lang naman sa akin, sa aming lahat. Team adjustment kumbaga para locked in kami," Javillonar added.
Javillonar bested teammate Jimboy Estrada, Lyceum of the Philippines University's John Barba, Mapua University's Chris Hubilla, and Arellano University's T-Mc Ongotan for the weekly recognition.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
